Thailand Adhesive Industry Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Thailand Adhesives and Sealants Market Analysis

The Thailand Adhesives and Sealants Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.02% during the forecast period.

Thailand's industrial landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with the adhesive and sealants market playing a crucial role across various sectors. The country's position as the largest automotive producer in ASEAN and the 11th largest globally has established a strong foundation for industrial adhesive consumption. The food industry, contributing approximately 23% to Thailand's GDP, has created substantial demand for packaging adhesives and sealants. This industrial diversification has led to increased adoption of advanced adhesive technologies across manufacturing sectors, particularly in high-performance applications.

The construction and infrastructure sector has emerged as a significant consumer of adhesives and sealants, driven by ongoing urbanization and infrastructure development projects. The industry has witnessed a shift toward sustainable building practices, with manufacturers developing eco-friendly adhesive solutions to meet stringent environmental regulations. The beauty and personal care sector, projected to reach USD 8.0 billion by 2022, has also stimulated demand for specialized adhesives in packaging and product assembly applications, particularly in the premium segment.

The automotive sector is experiencing a revolutionary transformation with the Thai government's ambitious plan to produce 250,000 electrified vehicles by 2025. This transition is driving innovation in adhesive technologies, particularly for lightweight materials and battery assembly applications. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to create adhesive solutions that meet the specific requirements of electric vehicle production, including thermal management and structural bonding agent capabilities.

The market is witnessing a notable shift toward automation and digitalization in adhesive application processes. Advanced dispensing systems and quality control mechanisms are being implemented to enhance precision and efficiency in manufacturing operations. This technological evolution is accompanied by a growing emphasis on product customization, with manufacturers developing application-specific adhesive solutions for various industries. The trend toward smart manufacturing has led to increased adoption of IoT-enabled adhesive dispensing systems, particularly in electronics and automotive manufacturing sectors. The adhesive industry is thus poised for significant growth, contributing to the overall adhesive and sealants market revenue.

Thailand Adhesives and Sealants Market Trends

INCREASING DEMAND FROM THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY

The packaging industry represents one of the largest end-users of adhesives in Thailand, with applications spanning across flexible packaging, specialty packaging, corrugated packaging, composite containers, and frozen food packaging. The country's packaging landscape is characterized by approximately 2,000 printing houses, with the majority being small to medium-scale operations, while large-scale establishments constitute less than 1% of the total facilities. The food processing sector dominates the flexible packaging segment, accounting for more than 50% of the total demand, driven by an increasing population and rising demand for packaged foods. This has led to several food manufacturing companies establishing their production bases in Thailand, subsequently boosting the demand for flexible packaging and adhesives.

The market is witnessing significant developments in response to changing consumer preferences and sustainability initiatives. For instance, Eka Global, a prominent Thai plastic packaging company, has doubled its production of longevity flexible packaging from 8 million to 20 million pieces per month due to increasing demand. Additionally, there is a notable surge in demand for small-scale folding cartons and packaging from the beauty and personal care industry, with Thailand's beauty and personal care products market projected to reach USD 8.0 billion. The Thai Plastics Industry Association has reported that the country's packaging and printing industries are progressively shifting away from plastics and incorporating more bio-flexible products, aligning with the government's future policy to ban plastic packaging, which is expected to create new opportunities for innovative adhesive solutions.

SHIFTING FOCUS TOWARD ADHESIVE BONDING FOR COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The adhesive bonding for composite materials is experiencing significant growth in Thailand, particularly driven by the country's position as the largest automotive producer in the ASEAN region and the 11th largest globally. The Thailand Board of Investment has reported increased foreign direct investment supporting the country's growing electric vehicle production ecosystem, with the government setting ambitious targets to produce 250,000 electrified vehicles, 3,000 electric public buses, and 53,000 electric motorcycles by 2025. This transition towards electric vehicles has intensified the demand for lightweight composites and specialized adhesives, as manufacturers focus on reducing vehicle weight and increasing fuel efficiency.

The construction sector is another major driver for composite material adhesives in Thailand. According to Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, public construction spending has shown substantial growth, with significant investment in ongoing megaprojects including extensions to Bangkok's metro system on the Eastern Orange Line, Pink Line, and Yellow Line, as well as dual-track railway projects. These infrastructure developments require extensive use of composite materials and bonding agent solutions, particularly in applications where traditional joining methods are less effective. The use of glue in combining composite lumber elements with plywood gussets to form rigid joints for trusses has become increasingly common, as these rigidly bonded joints produce stiffer trusses compared to pinned joints, offering superior structural integrity for modern construction requirements. Furthermore, the building envelope adhesives sealant market is expected to benefit from these developments, providing enhanced solutions for structural applications.

Segment Analysis: ADHESIVES

Water-borne Segment in Thailand Adhesives Market

The adhesive segment for water-borne products dominates the Thailand adhesives market, accounting for approximately 50% of the total market volume in 2024. Water-borne adhesives are widely preferred across various industries due to their eco-friendly nature and low VOC emissions. These bonding agents find extensive applications in the packaging, construction, and automotive industries. The segment's growth is primarily driven by increasing environmental regulations regarding VOC emissions and the shifting focus toward sustainable adhesive solutions. The packaging industry, particularly flexible packaging and corrugated packaging, remains the largest consumer of water-borne adhesives in Thailand, supported by the growing demand for packaged food and beverages.

Hot Melt Segment in Thailand Adhesives Market

The hot melt adhesives segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the Thailand adhesive industry during the forecast period 2024-2029, with a growth rate of approximately 6%. The segment's robust growth is attributed to its superior properties, including high bond strength, rapid setting time, and excellent thermal stability. Hot melt adhesives are increasingly being adopted in various end-use industries such as packaging, woodworking, and electronics assembly. The segment is particularly benefiting from the growing demand in the packaging industry, where these glues are preferred for their fast processing speeds and strong bonding capabilities. Additionally, technological advancements in hot melt adhesive formulations, particularly in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based products, are further driving the segment's growth.

Remaining Segments in Adhesives Technology

The other significant segments in the Thailand adhesives market include solvent-borne, reactive, and other adhesive technologies. Solvent-borne adhesives continue to maintain a substantial market presence despite environmental concerns, particularly in applications requiring high performance and specific technical properties. The reactive adhesives segment, including epoxy, cyanoacrylate, and polyurethane adhesives, serves specialized applications in construction, automotive, and electronics industries where high strength and durability are crucial. Other adhesive technologies, including specialty formulations and emerging solutions, cater to niche applications and specific industry requirements, contributing to the overall market diversity and technological advancement in the adhesive industry.

Segment Analysis: SEALANTS

Silicone Segment in Thailand Sealants Market

The silicone segment has established itself as the dominant force in Thailand's sealants market, holding approximately 29% market share in 2024. Silicone sealants have gained widespread adoption due to their superior properties, including excellent adhesion to glass, coated metals, plastics, and wood. These sealants are particularly valued for their high UV resistance and temperature stability, making them ideal for demanding applications in the construction, automotive, and industrial sectors. The segment's leadership position is further strengthened by silicone sealants' versatility in both one-component and two-component adhesive systems, allowing them to meet diverse application requirements. The segment is also experiencing the fastest growth trajectory in the market, driven by increasing demand in construction applications and growing preference for high-performance sealing solutions in Thailand's expanding industrial sector.

Remaining Segments in Sealants Market

The polyurethane and acrylic segments play crucial roles in Thailand's sealants market, each serving distinct application needs. Polyurethane sealants are particularly valued in the construction and automotive industries for their excellent durability and chemical resistance properties. These sealants demonstrate superior performance in structural applications and are increasingly being adopted in modern building practices. The acrylic segment, while smaller in market share, maintains its importance in specific applications such as general construction and DIY projects, offering advantages like paintability and ease of application. Both segments continue to evolve with technological advancements and changing market demands, contributing to the overall growth of Thailand's sealants market.